Numerical, Experimental and Analytical Studies on Fluid Flow through a Marsh Funnel

This paper presents the application of computational fluid dynamics technique in civil and underground industries to evaluate fluid behaviour in a Marsh funnel. The numerical approach, based on computational fluid dynamics, simulated an incompressible two-phase Newtonian flow by means of the Volume-of-Fluid method. A complementary analytical proposed which provided a quick, field-ready method to assess the fluid field in the Marsh funnel. A supplemental experimental effort evaluated the results obtained from both the analytical calculation and numerical simulation. Results showed that the application of computational fluid dynamics technique gives the desired results in studying fluid flows in civil and underground industries. Proposed analytical solution is also capable of accurately predicting the fluid flow and thus can complement the experimental and numerical approaches. Further, the proposed analytical approach can be an alternative method for faster evaluation of fluid, although it needs to be calibrated with either the numerical or the experimental studies

A systematic review of operating room ventilation

Ventilation systems are the primary way of eliminating airborne pathogenic particles in an operating room (OR). However, such systems can be complex due to factors such as different surgical instruments, diverse room sizes, various staff counts, types of clothing used, different surgical types and duration, medications, and patient conditions. OR ventilation should provide a thermally comfortable environment for the surgical staff team members while preventing the patient from suffering from any extreme hypothermia. Many technical, logistical, and ethical implications need to be considered in the early stage of designing a ventilation system for an OR. Years of research and a significant number of publications have highlighted the controversy and disagreement among infection specialists, design engineers, and ventilation experts in this context. This review article aims to provide a good understanding of OR ventilation systems in the context of air quality and infection control from existing research and provide multidimensional insights for appropriate design and operation of the OR. To this end, we have conducted a systematic review of the literature, covering 253 articles in this context. Systematic review and meta-analyses were used to map the evidence and identify research gaps in the existing clinical, practical, and engineering knowledge. The present study is categorized into six research focuses: ventilation system, thermal comfort, staff work practice and obstacles, door operation and passage, air cleaning technology, emission rate, and clothing systems. In the conclusion, we summarize the key limitations of the existing studies and insights for future research direction

Thermal comfort in hospital and healthcare facilities : a literature review

Hospital and healthcare facilities need to provide a variety of indoor environments due to the diverse comfort and health needs of their patients and staff. Thermal comfort is an essential part of indoor environmental quality in the hospital work environment that affects both the patient’s own health, and the wellbeing of their healthcare professional. However, the comfort of the patients is given priority due to their medical conditions. There are six main factors that directly affect thermal comfort, which can be divided into two categories personal factors and environmental factors. There is an extensive range of literature covering the area of thermal comfort. However, these have a limited focus on patient and surgical staff thermal comfort in the hospital indoor environment. Therefore, this study aims to discuss and review recent literature in the area of human thermal comfort in the operating room work environment. From the review, the paper concludes that it is important to find acceptable solutions for the various thermal comfort requirements. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to propose a general solution in view of the current design and state of ventilation systems, as large variations exist between individuals in terms of both physical and emotional satisfaction

Thermal comfort in hospital and healthcare facilities : a literature review

Hospital and healthcare facilities need to provide a variety of indoor environments due to the diverse comfort and health needs of their patients and staff. Thermal comfort is an essential part of indoor environmental quality in the hospital work environment that affects both the patient’s own health, and the wellbeing of their healthcare professional. However, the comfort of the patients is given priority due to their medical conditions. There are six main factors that directly affect thermal comfort, which can be divided into two categories personal factors and environmental factors. There is an extensive range of literature covering the area of thermal comfort. However, these have a limited focus on patient and surgical staff thermal comfort in the hospital indoor environment. Therefore, this study aims to discuss and review recent literature in the area of human thermal comfort in the operating room work environment. From the review, the paper concludes that it is important to find acceptable solutions for the various thermal comfort requirements. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to propose a general solution in view of the current design and state of ventilation systems, as large variations exist between individuals in terms of both physical and emotional satisfaction

Thymectomy for Nonthymomatous Myasthenia Gravis: Comparison of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic and Transsternal Thymectomy

Objective: Thymectomy considered as a standard procedure in treatment of all the steps of myasthenia gravis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy is one of the minimally invasive procedures that because of the short duration of hospitalization, less postoperative pain, and scar after surgery, nowadays it is replaced the traditional methods of surgery for patients with myasthenia gravis, but there are still differences and concerns. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of two different techniques of surgery, VATS versus transsternal (TS) in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Methods: In this pilot study, 42 patients with myasthenia gravis and without a thymus tumor were evaluated based on Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America classification and drug consumption. Then, they randomly underwent two different techniques of surgery: VATS versus TS. Patients were evaluated based on preoperative and postoperative variables. Results: Duration of intensive care unit stay and hospitalization has been reduced in patients who underwent VATS thymectomy operation technique. In addition, duration of surgical procedure has been reduced significantly in these patients. These patients have less blood loss during surgery compared with TS group. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postoperative status in VATS thymectomy revealed that the number of patients with complete stable remission was higher and number of persons remained unchanged was lower in this group. Conclusions: VATS thymectomy is a safe and appropriate approach comparing with traditional methods such as TS thymectomy for patients with myasthenia gravis. This method has better results after surgery and can be used as a minimally invasive alternative method instead of TS thymectomy. Copyright © 2018 by the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery

The range and diversity of providers' viewpoints towards the Iraqi primary health care system: an exploration using Q-methodology.

BACKGROUND: The increasingly recognized need for reorganizing the primary health care services in Iraq calls for a comprehensive assessment of the system to better understand its problems and needs for development. As part of such comprehensive assessment and due to the important role of primary health care providers in adopting any change, we ought to explore the range and diversity of viewpoints of primary health care providers towards the Iraqi primary health care system. METHODS: This explorative study was carried out in Erbil governorate, Iraq from May to July 2011. Data were collected from primary health care providers using Q-methodology to elicit subjective viewpoints and identify shared patterns among individuals. Forty primary health care providers representing eight primary health care centers sorted 41 statements reflecting different aspects of the Iraqi primary health care system into a distribution on a scale of nine from "disagree most" to "agree most". By-person factor analysis was used to derive latent viewpoints through centroid factor extraction and varimax rotation of factors. RESULTS: Analysis of the participants' Q-sorts resulted in four distinct viewpoints among primary health care providers toward the current primary health care system. One factor emphasized positive aspects of the current primary health care system that is content with the current primary health care system. The other three factors highlighted the negative aspects and they included (i) professionally-centered viewpoint, (ii) comprehensive perception and problem-based solutions and (iii) critical to leadership/governance aspects of the system. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed diverse viewpoints of primary health care providers toward the current Iraqi primary health care system and recognized the particular issues related to each viewpoint. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of health policy makers and primary health care managers concerning the problems facing the primary health care system that might contribute to change in the management of this system